Have your friends decided where they want to go on your summer vacation? You are not alone, most families have not yet decided where they want to go. It can be a very time consuming activity to find that perfect vacation getaway, so explore the options for your Vacation in Hawaii. You will discover exciting options and it may not be a simple choice!

However, if you are thoughtful and take the commitment to do some planning, it should make your summer vacation exciting and one of those “family stories” that you will treasure forever. The most frequent mistake people experience is first selecting a “destination.” The best vacations begin when you first choose “what you want to do”! Do you want to go camping, surfing on a beach, playing and relaxing at a pool, or touring cultural or historical locations? By choosing “what you want to do” to start with, you are off to the best start of choosing that perfect family tourism destination!

Since you know “what you want to do” – you can sort through the various tourism destination areas and discover those appealing attractions that you want to go see or do. By taking a short time planning, you can also choose those destinations that include a variety of attractions that are of interest to both you and your inclusive family. Online travel guides are invaluable that can help you choose comprehensive information about activities that are more comprehensive than a simple attraction name and address. Once you know “what” you want to do and “where” you want to go, a legitimate high quality online attraction guide will provide you a comprehensive article describing each attraction to help you make an educated decision about what you want to do and where you want to go.

Here are three vacation ideas that you might want to consider:

Idea #1: The U.S. Army Museum in Honolulu Offers up History Galore. The U.S. Army Museum is located on Honolulu in Hawaii and has a number of very interesting exhibits to offer visitors. Today, the museum houses the history of military power in Hawaii, from the first people all the way to the Vietnam War. Those who visit Hawaii will have a great time learning and checking out all the exhibits at the museum.

Idea #2: Learn about the Island of Kauai at the Kauai Museum. The island of Kauai is a beautiful place to visit, with great wilderness to explore, from the forests to the beaches. Swimming, snorkeling, and surfing are all great fun for vacationers. However, those who want to learn more about Kauai and its history as well as enjoy all of the scenery, the best place to visit it the Kauai Museum, established in 1960.

Idea #3: Keahiakawelo, the Garden of the Gods, on the island of Lanai, is also known as the Garden of the Gods. When you enter this area you will be astounded by the lack of vegetation until you learn to appreciate the beauty of the rock formations formed by centuries of erosion. Here the setting sun casts a warm orange glow on the rock sculptures turning them into brilliant reds and purples.

As you can see, you have a significant variety of options available to your family when it comes to selecting that perfect family vacation getaway. Enjoy your time to plan carefully what you want to do and where you want to go. Use a professional travel guide to help you on that perfect Hawaii vacations. And you will find that you will experience a family vacation with a lifetime of stories.
Penelope SanMateo is a travel writer that covers Hawaii. She writes travel articles that may help you discover the perfect vacation in Hawaii. Explore your Hawaii vacation alternatives on Hawaii – known as the “Big Island.”

Have you ever seen one more diver enjoying rising and falling about in the surf zone crazily looking for a fin? Unluckily, it could occur but I want to explain you how to evade it. I have planned to share some of the do's and don't of surf entries and exits to get you to and from your dive like an expert.
Prior to talking about the dives, it’s significant to clearly converse a few basic equipment issues. This is mainly imperative if you don’t have the chance to dive here in Oahu on a standard basis.

The Scuba Diving Oahu, Hawaii seashore can be equally attractive and rugged. Many of our reefs are on peak of and bounded by limestone. Dive boots with solid soles and open heel fins are a “must have” for coastline diving in Oahu.Water socks, bare feet and full foot fins will not only make your dive an uncomfortable practice, they can be unsafe when walking across the limestone. Now that you have the precise equipment, let’s talk about getting in and out.

With some essential arrangement and techniques you can pass up some of the most general blunder when diving from the shoreline. I’ll break these down into three segments for you. Pre- Scuba Dive Planning, Entrances and Exits.

Pre-Dive Planning:

Perhaps the most hidden part of diving, particularly here or anywhere in there world where citizens are lucky to be able to dive year around.

1.Get your gear set the night before. This will make sure you don’t overlook something. There’s a checklist given in your Open Water Diver Manual. (I think some of you didn’t even know that.

2.Someone should (a non-diver) know where you’re going diving and roughly what time you should be return.

3.Ensure the surf details. Why drive all the way to a dive site, to have it wash down and then have to drive to a different dive spot.

4.Carry just what you require to the beach with you. Quit your valuables at residence. Regrettably, car break-ins may take place at any destination where divers liable to meet.

5.When you reach at the dive site, analyze the environment before you even put together your gear. You’ll want to select a vantage point where you can obviously see your entry and exit place (sometimes they’re different places).

6.Observe the surf zone, if you don’t feel comfy that you are arranged both physically and spiritually for the situation, don’t go away. The ocean isn’t leaving anywhere. Look for any large rocks or drop offs that could become problematic. Once you’ve determined the situations are favorable, get your gear prepared with your dive partner.

7.While putting your gear mutually, it’s a good time to review your dive plan with your playmate and also to talk about hand signals and what to do in case of an emergency. Remember, plan your dive and dive your plan.
Enthusiast and pro Scuba Diver Jack Leon converse about Oahu Scuba Dive, Scuba Diving Oahu and Scuba Dive in Hawaii. Ocean Concepts offers wide range of diving equipments.

(NewsUSA) - As summer kicks Americans' travel plans into gear, doctors start seeing more patients -- travel exposes tourists to all sorts of communicable bacteria and viruses. But with a little preparation, vacationers can enjoy sun and sand without catching coughs and sniffles.
Many people believe that planes' closed environments help germs spread, but in actuality, a normal airplane cabin circulates air more often than the average office building. And patients shouldn't worry about germs on blankets or pillows, either. Such items are carefully cleaned between flights, making contamination unlikely.

But airplanes do help germs spread in other ways. While the air in the cabin isn't stale, it is dry. On long flights, this desert-like air dries out passengers' mucus membranes, making them more susceptible to infection. Travelers can reduce their risk by staying hydrated, preferably with bottled water.

Passengers can also take steps to kill any germs that do land in their nose, mouth or eyes. An alcohol-free germ-protection spray, such as MyClyns, can be sprayed into the eyes, mouth, nose or minor cuts and abrasions, where it kills germs before they cause infection. Long used by first responders and health care professionals, MyClyns germ protection spray steps in where sanitizers may fail.

"The skin is an amazing organ and does a wonderful job protecting us," says Dr. Donald Locasto, Medical Director of the Cincinnati Fire Department and professor of emergency medicine at the University of Cincinnati. "But germs are given a fast track to enter when we touch our eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound. You can't spray hand sanitizer into your eyes -- its active ingredient is essentially alcohol."

That said, hand sanitizer is a must-have for air travelers. Passengers should wash their hands frequently, but on a plane, there's no guarantee that the water is not contaminated. For this reason, travelers should wash their hands with soap and water, then follow-up with hand sanitizer.

Air travelers can also reduce their risk by requesting a new seat when they're placed by obviously sick passengers, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and making sure that they are healthy and well-rested before flights.

As Dr. Locasto asserts, with precautions, "the only malady this year's savvy travelers will be afflicted by is a longing for a bit more time off."

A Hawaii dinner cruise is one of the most popular activities for visitors to the Islands of Aloha. The combination of a tropical location, sunset on the water and a good meal can set the stage for a memorable experience. However, not all dinner cruises in Hawaii are created equal. Follow these basic guidelines to find the best dinner cruise for your vacation to Hawaii.
1. Get the recommendation of the concierge or activities desk at your hotel. These professionals will be able to tell you what Hawaii dinner cruises are available and which ones are the most enjoyable. Inquire as to the type of boats available, their distance from your hotel, transportation options and (most importantly) the quality and type of food served on each available cruise. More often than not, the concierge and activity desk staff will have personally gone on the dinner cruises that they recommend. Also note that the also often receive a commission for their referrals.

2. Don't go with the cheapest dinner cruise that you can find. Some dinner cruise operators in Hawaii offer incredibly cheap cruises, but you end up getting what you pay for. The super cheap dinner cruise will often be aboard a dirty, rusty tub of a boat with food generally served at institutional cafeterias. If you spend a least a little more, you'll be glad you did.

3. Book your dinner cruise well in advance. By their nature, dinner cruise boats in Hawaii have limited capacities. Once you have decided on the dinner cruise that is right for you, make your reservation right away. If possible, check the local weather forecast to ensure that you will have clear weather on the desired evening of your cruise.

4. If you are traveling with a large group, book a private dinner cruise. Group travel and destination weddings in Hawaii have become more and more common the past few years. If you are planning such an event, it is best to book a private dinner cruise on an appropriately sized boat. This will give you the benefit of having a shared experience for your group away from the maddening crowds of tourists. Research and book private dinner cruises in Hawaii as far in advance as possible. A deposit of one half of the total cost is standard to reserve a private cruise.

5. Take precautions prior to your dinner cruise if you are prone to sea sickness. If you have ever gotten sea sick or experienced any other type of motion sickness, you know it can be a miserable experience. The vast majority of people who go on cruises in Hawaii never have any problem with sea sickness. However, if you are prone to motion related sickness, you should take steps to prevent sea sickness before the dinner cruise starts. Pills and patches are available to help prevent sea sickness, but need to be used well in advance of your cruise. If you feel you are susceptible to motion sickness, check with a medical professional for a recommendation on how to best avoid sea sickness during your cruise.

6. Bring a light jacket with you. Sure, Hawaii is a warm, tropical paradise. But after the sun goes down conditions out on the ocean can be a little chilly. Plan ahead and bring a light jacket.

7. Tip the captain and crew. It is customary to tip the staff at the end of your dinner cruise. As with restaurant dining, you should tip fifteen percent of your dinner cruise total if the service was reasonably good. Of course, if the service was truly outstanding you can tip even more.

A Hawaii sunset dinner cruise can be the highlight of your vacation to the Islands of Aloha. Just remember to plan ahead, don't go too cheap and have a wonderful time in paradise.

About the Author: Eric Petersen is the owner of Hawaii Yacht Charters which is based in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. He specializes in private Hawaii dinner cruises and destination weddings in Hawaii.

CoreLogic® Home Price Index Shows Year-Over-Year and Month-Over-Month Increase
Home Prices in Honolulu Increase
CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX), a leading provider of information, analytics and business services, today released its Home Price Index (HPI) which shows that home prices in the U.S. increased in April, the second consecutive monthly increase.

According to the CoreLogic HPI, national home prices, including distressed sales, increased by 2.6 percent in April 2010 compared to April 2009. This was an improvement over March's year-over-year price increase of 2.3 percent.* Excluding distressed sales, year-over-year prices increased in April by 2.2 percent; an improvement over the March non-distressed HPI which increased by 1.0 percent** year-over-year.

On a month-over-month basis, the national average home price index increased by 0.8 percent in April 2010 compared to March 2010, which was stronger than the previous one-month increase of 0.1 percent from February 2010 to March 2010.

Home Prices in Honolulu Increase

In Honolulu, home prices, including distressed sales, increased by 19.38 percent in April 2010 compared to April 2009. This compares to March's year-over-year HPI, which was 12.33 percent. Excluding distressed transactions, year-over-year HPI for April is 21.55 percent, compared to March which was 13.08 percent.

National Highlights as of April 2010

Including distressed transactions, the peak-to-current change in the national HPI (from April 2006 to April 2010) is -29.5 percent. Excluding distressed properties, the peak-to-current change in the HPI is -21.1 percent.

Including distressed sales, 60 of the top 100 Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) increased on a year-over-year basis in April. The number of CBSAs with increasing HPI has been improving steadily since April 2009 when all of the top 100 CBSAs had falling year-over-year HPI.
The five best states for year-over-year price appreciation excluding distressed sales are Virginia (+3.6 percent), New York (+3.7 percent), North Dakota (+6.0 percent), California (+8.4 percent), and Hawaii (+10.6 percent).

When distressed sales were included, Idaho (-7.2 percent) remained in first place as the top-ranked state for annual price depreciation in April, followed by Illinois (-5.8 percent), Nevada (-4.6 percent), Maryland (-4.3 percent) and Washington (-3.7 percent). Month-over-month appreciation was positive between March and April for all of these states.

"The monthly increase in the HPI shows the lingering effects of the homebuyer tax credit," said Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. "We expect that we will see home prices remain strong through early summer, but in the second half of the year we expect price growth to soften and possibly decline moderately."

Patients of all ethnicities often look towards rhinoplasty as a beautiful way to enhance the appearance of their nose. In particular, patients of Asian heritage may want to redefine their nose to achieve a higher bridge. If you are looking to raise the profile of your nose, choose Hawaii plastic surgeons that specialize in the Rizzo dorsal implant.
Patients of all ethnicities often look towards rhinoplasty as a beautiful way to enhance the appearance of their nose. In particular, patients of Asian heritage may want to redefine their nose to achieve a higher bridge. If you are looking to raise the profile of your nose, choose Hawaii plastic surgeons that specialize in the Rizzo dorsal implant.
Redefining Asian Noses with Hawaii Plastic Surgeons

Many patients from the mainland, Japan, and Korea travel to undergo procedures with Hawaii plastic surgeons because of their targeted experience. Keep in mind that Asian patients have different features and skin characteristics than other ethnicities which can influence the outcome of the surgery.

For example, the skin of a person of Asian origin is generally thicker and less elastic than that of a Caucasian individual. As well, the bones tend to be smaller, and the cartilage is typically thinner and softer. The very qualified Hawaii plastic surgeons know how to work with these specific characteristics to create the most beautiful results possible for their patients.

Many patients of Asian heritage have noses that have a wider tip, combined with a smaller bone structure that is disproportionate. If you want to enjoy a nose that has a higher bridge, with better proportions to the rest of your nose, then Hawaii plastic surgeons can build both the upper and middle areas of the nose, while simultaneously decreasing the lower area of the nose, which includes the tips and alae.

Hawaii Plastic Surgeons and the Rizzo Dorsal Implant

One of the most effective ways to alter the shape of the Asian nose, creating a strong nasal profile, is to utilize Silastic implants. When an Asian individual opts for a nose job that is geared towards heightening the bridge of the nose, this is known in the world of Hawaii plastic surgeons as a Rizzo dorsal implant.

The implants of this procedure can be large or small, depending upon the existing structure and what the patient hopes to achieve. Many patients of Asian heritage want a narrow alae that looks natural. The fact that Asian skin tends to be thick bodes well for the nose implants. The implants are better protected and hidden thanks to this fact of nature.

Hawaii Plastic Surgeon’s Procedure for a Nose Implant

It does not take a lengthy period of time to place a nose implant for the Hawaii plastic surgeons. To begin the surgery, the Hawaii plastic surgeons inject lidocaine featuring epinephrine into the tip of the nose, as well as the dorsum and the gingival-labial areas.

After approximately 10 minutes has passed, the Hawaii plastic surgeons make an incision in the gingival-labial area. Using blunt and sharp dissection, the Hawaii plastic surgeons work their way to the columella. Once they reach this area, a periosteal elevator and scissors are then used on the nose’s skin in order to create the implant’s pocket.

Some Hawaii plastic surgeons will use an L-shaped Silastic implant that is preformed. It is also possible to shape the unformed Silastic before the surgery is performed. Different surgeons prefer different methods. Discuss this with the Hawaii plastic surgeons before you schedule the appointment for your surgery.

Regardless of your ethnic descent, Hawaii plastic surgeons can create a heighted nose bridge that gives you greater definition. The end result will achieve a stronger nose profile, with a higher bridge and greater aesthetic proportions.

When it comes to buying your best girls some jewelry, it is not like buying them a dozen roses. With flowers, you cannot go wrong. That cannot be said about buying a woman jewelry.

Here are 10 good rules men should heed before walking into any store where gold is the prominent color and the showcases are full of shiny bobbles and other glistening stuff.

1. Men should never buy a woman a piece of jewelry without doing some homework.

2. Men should pay attention to the jewelry she already has and build on a theme.

3. Men should find a qualified jeweler/gemologist who has the education to guide him thru the process of buying the right jewelry and gemstones.

4. Men should look for diamonds with laboratory reports by GIA, AGS, HRD, EGL. Without “the papers” that accompany the gem, you really don’t know what you are really getting.

5. Ask her what she wants, or ask her mother or perhaps her best friend – if they can keep a secret. (This is a loaded rule – so be careful.)

6. Know beforehand and how much you want to spend and do not go over your budget. Get something you can afford to buy. Regrets usually come with compound interest.

7. Size does matter when it comes to diamonds. A 1.0 carat is a magical number for most women but that may not be within your budget. The average diamond engagement ring is approximately 0.50 carats to 1.05 carats.

8. Men, you must learn what is the most important to your lady. Better clarity may get you a smaller stone, but with a better cut, and more color may get you a larger stone.

9. Men often chose the wrong color of precious metal. What color does she wear? Men, you must look at what she already has in her jewelry wardrobe, and then you can pick the right color. Hopefully.

10. Don’t shop the Internet for expensive jewelry because you really cannot see and touch what you are buying. The Internet is still the Wild West. The jeweler should be a bricks-and-mortar location like Carat & Karats Fine Jewelry, your educated jeweler and gemologists.

Would you buy a classic car off eBay without even hearing the engine? I don’t think so. Doesn’t your lady deserve that same consideration.

11. Special Bonus Rule: If all else fails, bring her along, just so you can see what see likes and then stop back in for the purchase. Anticipation of a jewelry present is almost as good as the gift itself.

Brenda Reichel, owner of Carats & Karats Fine Jewelry, is a graduate gemologist, member of the International Society of Appraisers, and proprietor of an AGA-certified Gem Laboratory. She can be reached at 735-2301. Visit Brenda’s website at: http://www.caratsandkarats.com.